Perhaps the most fundamental right that we, as citizens, have is the right to vote for the candidates and issues of our choice. This right has been guaranteed by well over one million U.S. military casualties (killed and wounded) from the Revolution until today. And many more millions have risked life and limb to ensure this right during peace and war. So, it is most disturbing and disrespectful to our veterans who have served to protect this right when less than 46 percent of registered voters bothered to exercise their guaranteed right to vote in the most recent city election.
To those 54 percent who did not bother to vote, you absolutely have forfeited your right to complain about any government action to include the atrocious utility rate increases totaling 30 percent in the past year. I have come to understand why the previous increase was termed a “tax” and not a rate increase. In my opinion, it is a pure tax and not to cover increased utility costs to the city as advertised. The purpose was to simply create a slush fund of about $2.5 million for the city. Of course, the city can juggle the books to make any case they wish. However, I support fully the pay increase for first responders although it could probably have been funded by reducing expenditures from pet projects.
Plato once stated: “If you do not vote, you will be governed by idiots.” When Benjamin Franklin was asked if we were to have a monarchy or a republic form of government, he responded: “A republic, if YOU (emphasis added) can keep it.”
It is said that you deserve what you vote for. Conversely, it can be said that you deserve what you do not want when you fail to vote. By not educating oneself on the candidates and issues and then following through and voting, you may ultimately lose your right to vote and our form of government that has endured for about 250 years. Think about it, please, and vote.
Jim McCrory, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Retired), EdD
Editors Note: The Natchitoches Parish Voters roll contains many voters who have not voted in Natchitoches Parish for years. See Sample List Attached from the April 2024 Voter List maintained by the Secretary of State. If these voter records were properly PURGED, then the turnout percentage would show a much better picture.